£51m Liverpool target has now decided he's definitely not leaving this summer - journalist
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Liverpool are still scouring the market but some of their earlier targets have ruled themselves out of a move.
The transfer window is coming to a close and for the Reds, it has largely been a successful summer, although action is still required.
Before kicking a football, many Liverpool supporters would have thought that their squad is complete and that they have done enough to give them a good chance at retaining their title.
However, now two weeks into the season, there are some clear problems that need addressing, with defensive reinforcements needed, as well as perhaps another attacker to help with the squad depth.
The latter seems Alexander Isak or no one now, though, especially after one of their previous targets has decided to stay put this summer.
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If Liverpool are not to get Isak, which seems more and more likely as time passes, another winger was on the cards, especially after letting Luis Diaz leave.
The Colombian netted 13 goals in the league last season, a return that many would think needs to be replaced if they are to win back-to-back titles.
Many players have been linked but one of the most persistent rumours was that of Lyon’s Malick Fofana, with the 20-year-old wanting to play Champions League football.
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However, despite offers from Nottingham Forest and Everton, he was still holding out for a bigger move, but now that has not materialised, he has decided to stay this summer according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
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He reports that Fofana has not found a club that matches his ambitions so he has decided to wait another year in the hope of a better project.
With Lyon now back in the Europa League after a successful appeal, and with the French side making a good start in Ligue 1, this appears to be a smart choice for the 20-year-old as a good season could see some big clubs prepare to make a move.
As things stand, it appears as if the Reds want a centre-back and Isak, with that then being it.
Arne Slot seems fairly happy with his attacking options and is willing to risk going the year without a Diaz replacement, something that could very easily backfire.
If it does, however, Fofana staying means that they can always go back in for him in January or next summer, with the Reds knowing they have a good back-up option to fall back onto.
His contract runs until 2028 so if his market value sky-rockets over the next 12 months, he will still be fairly expensive, but one more season playing regularly might be enough for Liverpool to take the gamble.